Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

continued PARTY of the month Never have the Hollywood juveniles had it so exotic as the Oriental costume party Lita and Rory Calhoun hosted for daughter Cindy's third birthday. The entire nursery social set was there, turned out in Oriental splendor — and never have you seen anything so cute. To show you how far this Oriental angle was carried out, the hostess, Miss Cindy Calhoun, and her sister Tami had a regular studio hairdresser do their hair in Eastern style — and when Lita first saw her Cindy she didn't recognize her child in the black wig and make-up. Carrie Frances Fisher and her brother Todd were done up in Japanese costumes Debbie Reynolds had bought for them in Honolulu. The little Fishers attended under the proud eye of their great-grandmother, Mrs. O. Harmon who was visiting Mrs. Maxine Reynolds. She told me she had never seen such adorable costumes and such a children's dream of toys as highlighted the big Calhoun garden. There were hobby horses, big stuffed animals including a life-size giraffe and elephant big enough for the children to ride. There was a merry-go-round playing tinkling tunes, balloons galore — and everyplace, everywhere were the 'little people' toddling around in their Japanese or Chinese togs. Keenan Wynn's two little girls, Hilda and Edwina, had fantastic eyebrows under their coolie hats. Keenan. who came with them, told me he had made them up. Charlie Robert Stack, son of Rosemary and Robert Stack, wanted no part of any of the little girls and ran away bawling when they came near. His big sister Elizabeth had herself a time, particularly when she sat down at the table and saw the big cake decorated in Oriental motif. Her eyes got as big as the cake. The table where the children sat was gaily decorated with every Japanese favor imaginable and they brought squeals of delight from each and every little guest. Dean Martin's youngest, Gina, was the only one who did not come in Oriental splendor, selecting instead a ballet costume. She is the cutest thing you ever saw and as good as gold, never grabbing a thing off the table — which is more than I can say for some of the other Orientals. Jane Powell's three. Cissy, Jay and Lindsay, amused themselves — the two older ones playing ping-pong in a corner and the youngest just jumping up and down on a specially constructed contraption. Two of my godchildren were done to the teeth, I mean Miss Dolly Madison (accompanied by her parents Sheila and Guy Madison) and little Tami Calhoun, the cutest Oriental I ever saw. Dolly's older sisters Brigit and Erin were in Japanese kimonos with their long blonde hair falling to their shoulders. John Wayne's little Aissa was ill — so Lita sent her all the favors to make up to the youngster for missing out on the big social event of the season. Got a chuckle out of Ricardo Montalban arriving by himself because his small son Victor had the flu and Georgiana had to nurse the young man. Ricardo had promised to bring home a blow by blow account of the event plus any favors he could pick up! One young lady I would love to have stolen was tiny Nikki Ericson, the John Ericson s beauty. What a darling and so well behaved. I missed seeing Yvonne De Carlo and her son Bruce who were late and arrived after I left. But I wouldn't have missed this party for anything! I Carrie Frances and Todd came in costumes Debbie bought them in Honolulu. This is the banquet room that Lita and Rory Calhoun prepared in honor of their daughter Cindy's third birthday. The kids never had it so exotic.